In a small town in North Manchester a young Asian man, Zeshan, runs away from home for fear of his father and the religious restrictions he instils upon him after getting too involved with a white girl, Becci. Life continues to move slowly with very few people aware of the situation the trivialities of life take precedence in this bleak, true to life drama. The dialogue is fast-paced and punchy with topical issues touched on throughout with use of black and satirical comedy. The story shines a light on a part of society that is living below the working-class in near poverty conditions, whilst highlighting issues with ongoing racism in the UK.
Sunrise for the Blind is Lee Lomas’s third play, after enjoying 5 star reviews on both of his previous productions he is bringing his writing closer to home. Lee has drawn on some personal experiences as inspiration for the play and has spoken with friends and associates from the Muslim community in his home town to get first-hand accounts of what it was like to grow up in a small, predominantly white area. The play follows the lives of two young men who are stuck in a deprived area with a sense of constant hopelessness, Nathan and Mark, lifelong best friends who have become more like brothers as the years have gone by. When Nathan begins a relationship with local girl Ashley he is soon taken under the wing of her racist Brother, Johnny. Meanwhile Mark works in the local shop and begins to form a tight bond with, Leena, Mother of Zeshan.Sunrise for the Blind pulls no punches, a familiar theme of the writer, it promises to be an eye opening experience with plenty of light to balance out the shade.